Sonali is from the Sanskrit sonālī (सोनाली — golden, of gold). A modern American baby name in the broader Sanskrit-heritage aesthetic. Sonali in Sanskrit tradition — the foundational Sanskrit feminine adjective for golden beauty; reflects the broader Indian cultural emphasis on gold as a foundational feminine virtue and Goddess Lakshmi's foundational attribute. Sonali Bendre Behl (born 1975) — iconic Indian Bollywood actress; widely considered one of the most-celebrated Indian actresses of the late 1990s and 2000s; over 50 leading roles in iconic Bollywood films including **Sarfarosh (1999) opposite Aamir Khan — widely considered one of the iconic Bollywood action films — Hum Saath-Saath Hain (1999) — one of the highest-grossing Bollywood films of 1999 — and Major Saab (1998); recipient of the Filmfare Best Female Debut Award (1995); widely celebrated for her foundational role in raising awareness about metastatic cancer following her own 2018 diagnosis; brand ambassador for the iconic Government of India's National Cancer Control Programme*; her foundational memoir documenting her cancer journey The Modern Gurukul* and her social media-based cancer awareness work has been recognized internationally. Sonali Kulkarni (born 1974) — Indian Marathi/Hindi actress; recipient of the National Film Award - Special Jury Award (1999). Sonali Mukherjee — Indian acid attack survivor + activist. Princess Sonali — Hindu heritage naming.
Featured throughout Sanskrit heritage and Indian cinema.
Sonali reduces to nine.